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Bartzokas: «The players are responding to the plan»

Olympiacos is playing against Zenit in St. Petersburg on Thursday (23/01, 18:00 CET) and Giorgos Bartzokas together with Brandon Paul, got to make comments on the game against the Russian team.

Giorgos Barztokas originally made clear what the goal for OLympiacos is in Russia against Zenit. “We want to win, it’s only obvious. We need to win and we need to play well, because there is no Euroleague game you can win playing a mediocre game”.

Ο Έλληνας τεχνικός εξήγησε τις διαφορές σε σχέση με το ματς κόντρα στη Μπάγερν. «Κάθε παιχνίδι είναι διαφορετική ιστορία. Ο αντίπαλος επιτίθεται διαφορετικά από τη Μπάγερν. Είναι πολύ καλή στο επιθετικό ριμπαόυντ. Θα είναι σημαντικό, πρέπει να μη δώσουμε δεύτερες ευκαιρίες στον αντίπαλο».

The Greek coach explained the differences in relation to the game against Bayern. “Each game is a different story. The opponent attacks differently than Bayern. They are very good at offensive rebounding. It’s going to be important that we don’t give them second chances”.

He was then asked to comment on the fact that Olympiacos is better this season when playing on the road than at home. “You can’t see that as an element, prepare your players and tell them that we win at home and we lose on the road. They have some strengths and some weaknesses, just like any other team. Things are simple. To win, you have to play well. You have to have balance in your game, shoot well from the perimeter, be creative and not allow offensive rebounding to the opponent”.

On where he has focused in terms of improving Olympiacos’ game, the Greek coach replied that “we try to do both. Olympiacos has had a problem with facilitation, we try to put emphasis on that, but also differentiate the way we defend. Time is not our ally, because we are at the second half of the regular season, but we are optimistic because the players are responding to the plan”.

As for a potential signing, the 54 year old coach replied that “we have the consent of the Presidents, because two Americans left just before I came, so if there’s something that can make us a better team, we’ll see it. It’s not necessary that something like that is available at the moment. Good players are with teams right now and that’s an issue. We are investigating the market parallel to the games and if there’s an opportunity we’ll make a move, otherwise no”.

On his part, Brandon Paul pinpointed that Olympiacos has yet to play three good Euroleague games in a row this season. “Truth is we have noticed that as well. That is, we play a good game and then we go to the next one lacking the same energy. Our goal now is to have against Zenit in Russia the same energy we have had in the second half against Bayern Munich. We definitely want to win and especially against a team that beat us in our home in the first round. Regardless of their position, they are a good team. The Euroleague is a ‘crazy’ competition and anything can happen. I think they would want to react and leave the last position behind them, they are going to come to the game strong and we need to be prepared to deal with this”.

As for what it is that Giorgos Bartzokas has changed up to now, the American guard replied that “he’s a coach that has worked for big clubs, he’s transmitting his philosophy and I think that we are going to be getting better and I’m looking forward to seeing that on the floor. I don’t want to be revealing secrets of his philosophy, but many players are on the same page now and I believe that we are going to continue learning and “building” the team”.